Chloramphenicol: Uses, Risks, and Everything You Need to Know

When working with Chloramphenicol, a broad‑spectrum antibiotic originally isolated from the soil bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae. Also known as Chloromycetin, it blocks bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. This makes it effective against many bacterial infections, illnesses caused by pathogenic bacteria such as typhoid fever, meningitis, and eye infections. Chloramphenicol is also available as an ophthalmic solution, a sterile eye drop formulation used for conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers, allowing local treatment without systemic exposure.

How the drug works and what forms you’ll see

As an antibiotic, a class of medicines that kill or inhibit bacteria, Chloramphenicol’s key attribute is its ability to halt protein production in a wide range of bacteria. The typical dosage varies: oral tablets for severe systemic infections, injectable forms for rapid action, and the eye‑drop version for topical use. Its spectrum covers many Gram‑positive cocci, some Gram‑negative rods, and even anaerobes, making it a handy backup when first‑line drugs fail.

Safety is the next big piece of the puzzle. The drug’s most serious side‑effect is bone‑marrow suppression, which can progress to aplastic anemia—a rare but life‑threatening condition. Because this risk is unpredictable, many countries restrict Chloramphenicol to situations where no safer alternative exists. Other cautions include gray‑baby syndrome in newborns, especially with prolonged exposure, and possible liver enzyme elevation. Monitoring blood counts during therapy is standard practice.

Resistance patterns also shape how clinicians use Chloramphenicol today. Overuse in the past led to the emergence of chloramphenicol‑acetyltransferase enzymes that inactivate the drug, reducing its effectiveness against certain strains of Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. Modern antibiotic stewardship, programs that promote the right drug, dose, and duration guidelines now recommend reserving Chloramphenicol for confirmed resistant infections or when topical therapy is needed.

Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into specific Chloramphenicol topics—dosing tips, side‑effect management, comparisons with other antibiotics, and real‑world case studies. Whether you’re a patient looking for clear answers or a health‑care professional needing a quick refresher, the posts ahead will give you practical insights you can use right away.